RIO/ITH/2002/WD/7



RIO/ITH/2002/WD/7

18 January 2002

| |

|International Expert Meeting |

|Intangible Cultural Heritage: Priority Domains |

|for an International Convention |

|Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 22-24 January 2002 |

| |

| |

|Impacts of the first Proclamation of the nineteen masterpieces proclaimed oral and intangible heritage of humanity – critical |

|analysis |

Impacts of the first proclamation of the nineteen masterpieces proclaimed oral and intangible heritage of humanity

(Critical analysis)

The answers to the survey conducted in the countries where cultural manifestations or cultural spaces have been proclaimed as masterpieces of the oral and intangible heritage reveal that the Proclamation Program has had a strong and immediate impact on both the safeguarding of the proclaimed masterpieces, and elaboration and implementation of national policies relating to the protection of intangible heritage. These impacts are clearly evident at the local community level, as well as at regional and national levels.

The results of the survey as follows are highly convincing: (i) awareness raising, mobilisation and co-operation among custodian communities in relation to activities aiming to safeguard the proclaimed intangible heritage; (ii) national level recognition of the urgent need for concrete measures to safeguard the proclaimed masterpieces; (iii) intensification of legislative and administrative action for the protection of intangible heritage ; (iv) elaboration of coherent national policies for the safeguarding and promotion of oral and intangible heritage; (v) creation of national committees for the safeguarding of intangible heritage ; (vi) effective involvement of Member States in the implementation of action plans drafted for the safeguarding of the proclaimed masterpieces ; (vii) launching of activities according to the safeguarding action plans.

• Local community level

1. Awareness rising, mobilisation and co-operation

The Proclamation Program has created a new awareness of the necessity for increased cooperation among creators, artists, associations, universities and local agencies in efforts to facilitate the identification, preservation and promotional actions with regard to intangible heritage. This ability has been particularly evident in the actions of India, Benin, Morocco and Ecuador. On the local community level, concrete actions have already been undertaken, which include the creation and strengthening of existing associations, establishment of special commissions for the safeguarding of intangible heritage, elaboration of urban planning for the protection of cultural spaces, the creation of cultural houses in order to ensure the transmission of know-how, the making of inventories and the collaboration of schools and the uniting of communities. Moreover, in the majority of countries, cultural manifestations (festivals, ceremonies, festivities, meetings) have been organised in order to celebrate the proclamation of the cultural form of expression, thus encouraging its revitalisation.

2. Awareness on the urgency to protect the proclaimed masterpiece:

Local and national organizations, through national and international media interest, have given considerable coverage to the proclamation of their intangible heritage by UNESCO. This publicity assists in sensitising the public to the importance of the proclaimed cultural expression and to the necessity of protecting it against risks of deterioration, in some cases, disappearance such as in Côte d’Ivoire, Lithuania and Guinea. Other countries, such as Bolivia, Côte d’Ivoire and the Philippines have made official the title of Masterpiece of the National Cultural Heritage for the proclaimed cultural expression, thus acknowledging it as a national symbol of cultural identity. This form of recognition significantly raises awareness of the concept of ‘intangible heritage’ in society at large, and reinforces in the importance of establishing adequate protection for this type of cultural heritage at governmental levels.

• At national level

3. Intensification of legislative and administrative action for the protection of intangible heritage

One of the most powerful impacts of the Proclamation Program is the intensified implementation of specific measures aiming at the protection of oral and intangible heritage. These measures, as can be seen in the case of Dominican Republic or Italy, go beyond the sole protection of the masterpiece. Some countries, such as Uzbekistan, have taken legislative action inspired by the principles of the First Proclamation. Other countries, including Morocco and Guinea, have introduced, within their general cultural heritage policies, new provisions taking into account the specific needs of intangible heritage. In the Dominican Republic, intangible heritage has been recognised for the first time as a fundamental aspect of the cultural identity of the people and its vulnerability has been referred to as requiring urgent action.

4. Implementation of national policies to follow-up safeguarding actions for intangible heritage

Following the first Proclamation, Member States have become aware of the necessity to grant further financial and administrative aid to the communities concerned. This support is intended to enable the implementation of the action plans for the safeguarding of the respective oral and intangible heritage (Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea). National agencies and the public ministries in charge of cultural heritage in some States, such as in Côte d’Ivoire, have planned special budgetary lines for the implementation of the action plans.

5. Creation of national committees for the safeguarding of intangible heritage

Another significant impact of the Proclamation program are the new initiatives taken by certain States to create special agencies in charge of registries and inventories documenting and safeguarding of intangible heritage. Already, concrete measures have been taken for the creation of such agencies (Philippines, Dominican Republic). These concrete actions represent a major progression in the domain of the inventory of intangible heritage on national levels. Excellent results may therefore be expected for future proclamations.

6. Implication of the State in the implementation of safeguarding action plans

The majority of Member States governments have engaged in consultation with local communities, associations, universities and NGOs, in order to set up modalities for the participation and implementation of activities foreseen in the action plans. The involvement of the Member State in these actions, together with the implication of local communities, is vital for the success of activities for the safeguarding and revitalisation of the proclaimed intangible heritage.

7. Implementation of the safeguarding action plans

After the Proclamation, Member States and responsible agencies have been consulted in order to define the major guidelines for the implementation of the decennial action plans for the safeguarding of the proclaimed masterpiece. It should be emphasised that certain safeguarding and revitalisation activities foreseen in the actions plans have already begun. The elaboration of the action plans should be finalised by the end of the first semester 2002.

On regional level

Following the first Proclamation, a regional initiative calling upon State members to take concrete actions in favour of the elaboration of an international standard-setting instrument for the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage has taken place in the Latin American region (Oruro call, in Bolivia).

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While it has only been seven months since the first Proclamation, the results obtained in the countries where masterpieces have been proclaimed as oral and intangible heritage of humanity are extremely encouraging and reveal significant progress in the domain of the protection and revitalisation of intangible heritage. This progress, in the short term, addresses the immediate needs for action to safeguard this heritage. In the long term, ongoing progress in this direction will contribute to the implementation of coherent national policies, based on universally admitted concepts and definitions. The Proclamation will thus give practical results to the reflection to the extensive enquiries and reflection which has led to the framework for the elaboration of an international convention on the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage.

INTERNATIONAL EXPERT MEETING

CULTURAL INTANGIBLE HERITAGE: PRIORITY DOMAINS

FOR AN INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 22- 24 january 2002

IMPACTS OF THE FIRST PROCLAMATION ON THE NINETEEN MASTERPIECES

PROCLAIMED ORAL AND INTANGIBLE HERITAGE OF HUMANITY

(Survey summary)

|Country |Local and regional level impacts |National level |

|(proclaimed masterpiece) | | |

| | | |

|Belize |Several public awareness activities were carried out through the media, highlighting |The Government decided to declare a public holiday to|

|Supported by Honduras and Honduras Nicaragua |various aspects of the intangible heritage of Garifuna Culture. |celebrate “ The Garifuna Awareness Day” and the |

| | |“Garifuna Settlement Day”. |

|The Garifuna Language, Dance and Music | | |

| | |An action plan for the safeguarding of the Intangible|

| | |heritage of the Garifuna is under preparation by the |

| | |National Garifuna Council (NGC) and the Belize |

| | |authorities. |

| | | |

|Benin |Implementation of a project on the revitalization of the various Gelede communities in |Upcoming creation of an International Research Centre|

|Supported by Nigeria and Togo |the cultural spaces where the oral heritage is based on mixed cultures. |on Gelede Oral Heritage. |

| | | |

|The Oral Heritage of Gelede |Project concerning the launching of specific training session to reassert the value of | |

| |techniques and know-how based on Gelede heritage (weaving, sewing, ornaments and costume| |

| |making). | |

|Bolivia | | |

| |Series of conferences on intangible and oral heritage have been organized by various |Mobilizing of official authorities on the need to |

|The Oruro Carnival |universities and local organizations involved in the safeguarding of intangible |further protect and promote intangible heritage. |

| |heritage. | |

| | | |

| | |National-level dialogue on the cultural forms of |

| |Signature of an agreement between UNESCO and the Technical University of Oruro (UTO) |expression that could qualify for future |

| |with a view to the establishment of a UNESCO chair on oral and intangible Heritage. |Proclamations. |

| | | |

| |Regional level: | |

| | |Redrafting of laws being considered for the |

| |Meeting session of CAN (Andine Community) parliament members, MERCOSUR, Indigenous |protection of intangible heritage, taking into |

| |Parliament, Amazonian Parliament and PARLATINO members on the importance of protecting |account the evolution of concepts and criteria |

| |oral and intangible heritage. |ensuing from the Proclamation of masterpieces. |

| | | |

| |Signature of the Oruro Declaration : regional members of parliament reaffirm the |Passing in first reading (House of Representatives) |

| |necessity to promote an adequate international protection of cultural forms of |of a law recognizing the Oruro Carnaval as oral and |

| |expressions relating to intangible heritage. They call upon State parties to take |intangible heritage of humanity. |

| |measures in order to elaborate an international convention on the safeguarding of | |

| |intangible heritage. | |

| | | |

|China |Organization of regional Kunqu opera performances in Peking. |National Seminar : “ Presentation of a national |

| | |10-year action plan for the safeguarding of Kunqu |

|Kunqu Opera |Regional festivals of Kunqu Opera comprising the seven regional opera companies of |Opera ”. |

| |China. | |

| | | |

| |Training sessions by the Peking Opera of 30 students of the National Theatre Arts Peking| |

| |School. | |

| | | |

| | | |

| | | |

| | | |

| | | |

|Côte d’Ivoire |Project concerning the creation of a local association for the safeguarding and the |The proclamation by UNESCO of Afounkaha transverse |

| |promotion of Gbofe. |trumpets enabled its recognition on a national and |

|The Gbofe of Afounkaha : the Music of the Transverse Trumpets of the| |international level. It raised awareness on the value|

|Tagbana Community | |of Gbofe and underlined the necessity to safeguard |

| | |Tagbanas traditions |

| | | |

|Dominican Republic |Organization of an international Drum festival in the Park of the Community which was |Creation of a National Registry of cultural |

| |dedicated to the Cultural Space of the Brotherhood of the Holly Spirit of the Congos of |intangible manifestations, and elaboration of a legal|

|The Cultural Space of the Brotherhood of the Holly Spirit of the |Villa Mella. |definition of these manifestations (Presidential |

|Congos of Villa Mella | |Decree, 2 October 2001). |

| |Release of different CDs, including several songs of the community. | |

| | |This Decree focuses on the different forms of |

| |Organization of several workshops on traditional Dominican music. |cultural expression that require specific attention |

| | |and defines guidelines for the classification of |

| |Action taken by the media in favour of the promotion of the cultural space through |manifestations considered as intangible heritage. |

| |broadcasting of television documentaries, radio programs and release of press articles. | |

| | |Project of creation of a national commission on the |

| | |safeguarding of the Brotherhood’s intangible |

| | |heritage. |

| | | |

| | |New stapes taken in favour of the attribution of a |

| | |legal framework to the Brotherhood. |

| | | |

| | |National and international recognition of the |

| | |Brotherhood. |

| | | |

| | | |

| | | |

| | | |

| | | |

|Georgia | |Organization of an international conference on “the |

| | |Georgian polyphonic singing, Masterpiece of the Oral |

|Georgian Polyphonic Singing | |and Intangible Heritage of Humanity”. |

|Guinea |Working sessions on the cultural space of Sosso-Bala : elaboration of oral heritage |New impetus given to national policy of safeguarding |

| |safeguarding plans by artists, creators and members of village communities. Systematic |and promotion of traditional and folkloric culture. |

|The Cultural Space of Sosso-Bala |apprenticeship of instrumental practice, audition of the official chronicler of Dökola | |

| |family, Balafon instrument making workshops. |Institutionalization of a Balafon festival every two |

| | |years. |

| |Organization of a session on Sosso-Bala, together with the drafting of an action plan. | |

| | | |

| |Strengthening of the local association created for the safeguarding and promotion of the|Strengthening of the Cultural Heritage Division, in |

| |cultural space of Sosso-bala. |charge of the safeguarding of intangible heritage. |

| | | |

| |Updated inventory and census of the custodian community. | |

| | | |

| |Editing of brochures on the musical repertoire of Sosso-bala (transcription of ritual, | |

| |epic and popular songs). | |

| | | |

| |Radio and television coverage on Sosso-bala tradition. | |

| | | |

| |Scientific conferences in schools and universities on the value of intangible cultural | |

| |heritage. | |

|India |Sharing in common of techniques and know-how relating to this 2000 year-old tradition, |Official recognition of this theatre and heightening |

| |previously held in an individual and private manner, by the last three custodian |of public awareness (artists, creators, researchers, |

|Kutiyattam, Sanskrit Theatre |families. |journalists, cultural administrators) to the |

| |After the announcement of the recognition, the Kutiyattam community has come together |importance of safeguarding and revitalizing this |

| |for the first time to address the issue of its revitalization. |cultural form of expression, which was on the verge |

| | |of disappearance. |

| | | |

| | | |

| |For the first time in the history of the art, the patrons and practitioners of | |

| |Kutiyattam have formed a network and have decided to work together. |A plan of action for the safeguarding and |

| | |revitalization of Kutiyattam theatre has been |

| |Each of the six centres (Kalamandalam, Margi, Ammannur Chachu Chakyar Smaraka Gurukulam |submitted to the Government of India to revitalize |

| |being the main ones along with Mani Madhava Chakyar Smaraka Gurukulam, International |the art form by giving it a national status, ensuring|

| |Centre for Kutiyattam and the Theatre Department of Sree Sankara Sanskrit University) |its patronage and supporting it financially. |

| |have drafted their own action plans for the renewal of their respective schools, and | |

| |chartered their specific needs. They have also decided to have more interactions in the | |

| |future and to support each other. This unity within the community has perhaps become the| |

| |greatest advantage of the recognition by UNESCO. | |

| | | |

| |Recognition of the value of Kuttiyatam theatre in the province of Kerala where this art | |

| |form has continued. | |

| | | |

| |At the regional level also, new initiatives are being planned to safeguard this art form| |

| |and transmit it to a wider community of people. The tourism department has taken it up | |

| |and announced it as a major landmark in Kerala. | |

| | | |

|Italy |New initiatives have been taken for the intensification of legislative action, in |Organization of a conference in Sicily on |

| |relation to the protection of intangible heritage. |“ Intangible Heritage : legislation, protection and |

|Opera dei Pupi, Sicilian Puppet Theatre | |socio-economic impact ”. |

| | | |

| | | |

| | | |

| | | |

| | | |

| | | |

| | | |

| | | |

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| | | |

|Japan |The Nogaku Kyokai intends to initiate new programs in order to give performances in |National coverage by the media of the Proclamation of|

| |schools as well as theaters. |Nogaku Theater, raising the interest of the general |

|Nôgaku Theatre | |public towards the safeguarding of intangible |

| | |heritage. |

| | | |

| | |Organization of an International Seminar by The |

| | |Asia/Pacific Cultural Center for UNESCO (ACCU), with |

| | |the support of the Japanese government, to |

| | |disseminate the system of the Proclamation throughout|

| | |Asia/Pacific nations based on Japan's experience |

| | |(March 2002). |

| | | |

|Lithuania |The proclamation of Lithuanian cross-crafting has considerably inspired the |An action plan for the safeguarding and |

|Supported by Latvia |supplementary activities of a number of governmental and non-governmental institutions. |revitalization of the cross-crafting tradition is |

| | |underway by the National competent bodies. |

|Cross Crafting and its Symbolism in Lithuania |Masters of cross-crafting have acknowledged the official recognition of the necessity to| |

| |develop and safeguard this art. |The Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with other |

| | |interested partners, is organising an international |

| | |conference on the cross-crafting tradition. |

| |A series of publications on the cross-crafting tradition for public and educational | |

| |purposes are being prepared as well. |The Lithuanian Arts museum is preparing a special CD |

| | |containing the complete cross-crafting material to be|

| |The Lithuanian region of Prienai has decided to host the house of young masters of |found in Lithuanian museums. |

| |cross-crafting, with a view to develop and preserve the continuity of skills of this | |

| |tradition. Therefore, a considerable number of competitions and seminars, especially for|Efforts have been made for the systematisation, |

| |children and young masters, was organised in order to promote a development of |cataloguing and inventory of the cross-crafting |

| |cross-crafting tradition. |traditions in order to establish national |

| | |inventories. |

| | | |

| | | |

|Morocco |Square planning study |Creation of a commission for the safeguarding of the |

|The Cultural Space of Jemaa El-Fna | |square, comprising members of the local community, of|

| |Strict application of the law concerning the aesthetic aspect of the square and the |local and regional agencies involved in the |

| |renovation of surrounding facades |safeguarding and revitalization of the Square. |

| | | |

| |Measures taken by the Medina governor: destruction of two buildings unsuited to the |Taking into account of the Square as part of the |

| |popular and traditional aspect of the square, removal of illuminated advertising boards,|National Heritage by the Town Planning Office. |

| |transformation of streets converging on the Square into pedestrian zone, reduction of | |

| |car traffic. |Action Plan: |

| | | |

| |Measures to ensure transmission : |Rehabilitation of customary law relevant to the |

| | |management of the Square |

| |Organization of weekly sessions of story-telling by the Jemaa el-Fna Square Association,| |

| |for the benefit of pupils of the Marrakesh Medina schools, with the collaboration of a |Elaboration of a global strategy for the preservation|

| |delegation of the Education Ministry. |and the revitalization of oral and intangible |

| | |heritage, with the collaboration of custodian |

| |Creation of a competition with different prize-awarding ceremonies for halaiquis |communities. |

| |story-tellers | |

| | | |

| |Creation of a fund-in-trust for the benefit of old-aged halaïquis, in order to prompt | |

| |them to transmit their knowledge and know-how to young apprentices. | |

| | | |

| |Encouragement of painters and photographers to work on Jeemaa el-Fna Square. | |

| | | |

| |Inventorying and collection of documentation on cultural practices linked to the square.| |

| | | |

| | | |

| | | |

| | | |

| | | |

|Philippines |Resurgence and popularity of chanting the epic during appropriate occasions. |Creation of a panel of experts to explain and discuss|

| | |the significance of the Proclamation at local and |

|Hudhud Chants of the Ifugao | |national levels. |

| | | |

| | |Declaration of Hudhud epic and of the Rock of |

| | |Pumbakhayon, where Hudhud tales are recited, as |

| | |National Cultural Treasures. |

| | | |

| | |Creation of an Intangible Heritage Committee |

| | |responsible for the safeguarding and revitalization |

| | |of the intangible heritage of the Philippines. |

|Republic of Korea |(Answer not received) | |

| | | |

|Royal Ancestral Rite and Ritual Music in Jongmyo Shrine | | |

|Russian Federation |Project of Old Believers Song concerts and of master-classes on interpretation technique|Organization of a national seminar on the |

| |by representatives of the Transbaïkal region Semeiskies community and by the oral |Proclamation, comprising folklorists from all russian|

|The Cultural Space and Oral Culture of the Semeiskie |heritage custodian communities. |regions (June 2001). |

| | | |

| | |Organization of an international symposium entitled |

| | |“ Baïkal encounters ” and of a folklore festival on |

| | |Semeiskie Old-Believers. |

|Spain |The Proclamation enabled the identification of underlying problems, to reinforce the | |

| |co-operation between different agencies in charge of the safeguarding of the Mystery. | |

|The Mystery Play of Elche | | |

| |A reflection at the local level was initiated in order to plan in a more adapted way the| |

| |development of cultural tourism in the city of Elche. | |

| | | |

| |Renew of interest of local population for the Valencian language, in which the Mystery | |

| |Play is being sung. | |

|Uzbekistan |Identification of several projects aiming to promote and revitalize the cultural space |Adoption, in August 2001, of a new national |

| |of Boysun: |legislation in the field of preservation of cultural |

|The Cultural Space of the Boysun District | |heritage. Law on Cultural Heritage, adopted by the |

| |Organization of the Open Folklore Festival "Boysun Bahori" (Spring in Boysun), in May |Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan (Parliament), covering |

| |2002. |items relating to the preservation of oral and |

| | |intangible heritage. |

| |Establishment of a Folklore Scientific Museum at the centre of Boysun town. | |

| | | |

| |Organization of new cultural and eco-touristic routes within Boysun District. | |

|Ecuador-Peru and Peru |The Proclamation enabled the organization of a bilateral meeting between Zapara |International recognition of the exceptional value of|

| |communities from Ecuador and Peru, thus contributing to the bringing together of the |the Zapara culture. |

|The Oral Heritage and Cultural Manifestations of the Zapara People |communities of both countries. |New awareness of public authorities concerning the |

| | |necessity to elaborate general policies for the |

| |A census project concerning the Zapara population is now underway in order to identify |safeguarding of the oral and intangible heritage. |

| |the knowledge and know-how of the custodian communities. The census will facilitate the | |

| |general inventory of the oral and intangible heritage of this thousand-year old culture.| |

| | | |

| | | |

| |Involvement of NGOs and national/international institutions in the safeguarding plans | |

| |for the revitalization and protection of the various forms of cultural expressions of | |

| |the Zapara people. | |

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